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Sandbar willow #850583

Asked September 20, 2023, 8:09 AM EDT

Good morning, I live in Otsego on Riverwood National golf course and our home backs up to a holding pond that has aggressive sandbar willow trees that have grown extensively over the past couple years. These willows sprout runners underground in excess in our and neighboring yards. Our back yard now has an infestation of insects (according to our lawn fertilizer company) that might be attributed to these willow trees. Is it possible to have a master gardener visit our location to offer their expertise regarding eradicating these trees and also to look at our lawn? We have previously been told that these trees and their runners can damage household foundations. I greatly appreciate any help you can provide to me regarding this subject. Thank you!!

Wright County Minnesota

Expert Response

These questions are assigned by computer to Extension Master Gardeners(EMGs) all over the state. Some EMGs will make house calls and others do not. I do not know if Wright county EMGs will do this or not. 
Wright County yard and garden helpline
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Emily Hansen, Extension Educator, Horticulture
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There are many insects that may be attracted to your willow trees. See this web site from the U of Kentucky. 

https://www.uky.edu/Ag/Entomology/treepestguide/willow.html
Others have had this same suckers in the lawn problem. 
 https://ask2.extension.org/kb/faq.php?id=449012
For removing willow trees completely, the U of Texas has this web site.  https://aquaplant.tamu.edu/management-options/willow/
Linda G Tenneson, Benton County EMG & TCA Replied September 20, 2023, 10:21 AM EDT

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